Caring for your elderly parents amidst children and a full fledged job could be a challenging, especially if your parents are really old and need medical attention at home. With the increase in the human life expectancy, courtesy the improved medical innovations, there has been a subsequent increase in the number of working mothers who shoulder the responsibility of caring for their parents. Here is how you can care for your aged parents in the most balanced manner without losing your sanity.

• Reach out for assistance
• Include your child in the plan
• Explore low cost options
• Take a break
• Keep in touch
• Take care of yourself

Taking out time can be quite a challenge for you, considering that you have a full fledged job, child/children to take care of as well as your parents who need frequent guidance and supervision. You can seek help from aged care companies who can not only tailor their services according to your needs but also has a sound medical care system with nursing and dementia support and medication management.

Irrespective of how old your child is, it is imperative to make your kids a part of the caring plan. Whether it is spending some quality time in the evening, or bringing food or driving your parents down to the grocery, every child can assist their parents care for their elderly parents, irrespective of their age, maturity or ability. This way you can not only take a few responsibilities off your shoulder but can inculcate noble virtues in your child. Helping others will also make them feel important and needed.

If the needs of your elderly parents are extensive and medically challenging which might not fit into your budget, you might want to consider hiring a geriatric manager who can not only devise a plan for you but can often provide invaluable information on how you can utilize the community resources to reduce your time and expenses.

Most women have a tendency to achieve perfection in every field in they function. They aim to be the best wife, mother, daughter and employee at the same time. However this constant pursuit of perfection might leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Take a break from perfection, instead opt to build a well balanced life where you can carry out all your responsibilities in an easier manner. Create reasonable goals and stop to rejuvenate when you are exasperated.

A hectic schedule of shuttling amidst your family, job and parents may often leave you so drained that you might have absolutely little or no time at all to socialize. Refrain from letting emotional connections drift away because of responsibilities. Spending time with an old friend or a closed relation can make you feel good inside out. Who knows maybe during emergencies even they can lend a helping hand in caring for your parents.

Guilt is often one of the most felt emotions in the world. The constant feeling of ‘I could have’ or ‘I should have’ might make you feel more stressed than you already are. Remove the feeling of guilt and channelize your energy into self motivation. Work on your time management skills and take out time for yourself, even if it is for ten minutes everyday. Let go off all the steam and thank God for the small pleasures in life.